Canada, and Winnipeg in particular, is known for its icy cold winters and freezing blizzards. With extremely cold temperatures and high amounts of snowfall each year, keeping your home warm in these months is absolutely essential. Many homes still lose heat through poor quality windows and this leads to higher energy bills. Not to mention the fact that these inferior quality windows often require regular care and maintenance just to ensure that they can be operated somewhat smoothly. If you have not yet upgraded the windows in your home and you are looking for the best designs to keep your home warm this winter, here are four of the top options.
Casement Windows
Casement windows are an excellent option if you care about keeping your home warm this winter. They are attached to a frame with one or more side hinges. They can be opened left and right which makes it easy to allow for ventilation as and when needed. In the winter, you want to air out each room quickly. This will get all the stale air out but it will not cause the temperature of structural elements like the interior walls to drop drastically.
Tilt and Turn Windows
One of the main advantages of tilt and turn windows is the fact that you have multiple ways of opening it. It can be opened completely to allow for fast ventilation or you can tilt the window open to allow air to circulate slowly. Tilting the window is handy during poor weather since you do not necessarily need to worry about rain entering your home. When closed, the window forms a perfect seal to prevent heat loss.
Lift out Slider Windows
Lift out slider windows are another excellent option if you don’t have space for windows to open inside or towards the outside of your home. They also allow you to choose just how much you want to open them. This is really handy since you might like just a little bit of air at times whereas, you may need some quick ventilation during other times. In most cases, quick airing of bedrooms in the morning with windows wide open works wonders. Keeping a window slightly ajar while cooking also helps prevent food smells from sticking around. The best part of all is that these windows are designed to keep the cold at bay. When closed, you don’t have to worry about losing heat or making your heating system work that much harder to keep your home comfortable.
Awning Windows
Unlike many other designs, awning windows do not open from left or right. The window tilts open to allow air in from the bottom part of the window. A crank system is used which means that you can open the window as much or as little as you like. These windows are particularly popular for basements because they can be opened even when it’s raining. You never need to worry about the rain pouring into your home when trying to air out one or more of your rooms. When shut, the crank closes the window perfectly so that the room can warm up quickly again.
Frames and Glass
Other factors to consider when choosing windows for your home are the types of frames and glass options. Vinyl is an excellent choice because, unlike wood, it will not require regular maintenance and you don’t need to worry about warping. It is also not prone to transfer temperatures so the cold air outside will not make your home cold. In fact, the chambers in the frame help slow the transfer of hot and cold temperatures alike. Lo-E glass and triple-pane options are also excellent for insulating your home in the winter.
At NorthShield Windows and Doors, we take great pride in providing our clients with the finest quality products. Contact us at (204) 272-3725 and our team will be more than happy to provide you with a free in-home estimate. Feel free to ask us any questions you like regarding our products, the installation process and more. We look forward to helping you improve the energy efficiency and look of your home.